Best Engraving Machine For Flasks, Tankards and Quaichs

[fergus]

Update to where we're at after a few months going down this path.

 

We bought a second hand Mastergrave Universal. It has been a great learning experience. Sadly the machine hasn't performed as well as we'd have liked. We've had a number of issues with the machine and it's reliability. My opinion is that most of them are related to the age of the machine - it's just not got modern software, so it's more buggy and less reliable.

 

Some examples include: it sometimes crashes when you try to repeat a job, it's very slow sending over large jobs (can take 2-5 minutes to send over a logo for example), we couldn't get it running on Windows 7, one of the motors went (was replaced under warranty, but I guess these things are more likely with an older machine). However, it does physically do the job required, and the end result of the engraving is good.

 

In general, we've spent a lot of time learning how to work around some of the issues it has and came to the conclusion that it's just not reliable enough to be the backbone of a business that requires you to engrave at least a few items every day, let alone 10-20+.

 

We've now purchased a new U-Marq Universal 350 and although they're essentially the same machine, so far, it's much more refined and works a lot better (Disclaimer - we only tried it today for the first time!).

 

My advice to others, is this:

 

If your business depends on engraving and you need a reliable machine, fork out the extra for a new machine.

 

If you want to learn about engraving, have some time on your hands and don't mind learning a few tips and tricks, a second hand Mastergrave Universal is a great option.

 

Hope this helps.

[Craig Gardner]

We'll done you won't regret a new 350 purchase is a brill machine I wouldn't be without mine

Craig

[StevenB]

We'll done you won't regret a new 350 purchase is a brill machine I wouldn't be without mine

Craig

 

I concur